Anchoring device for dental prosthesis

ABSTRACT

An anchoring device for dental prosthesis applicable to both the reconstruction of deteriorated teeth and as a support for artificial teeth. The anchoring device includes a T-shaped anchoring element having a flattened head or bracket pierced with a hole, and a cylindrical leg provided with parallel grooves. The anchoring element is fixed in a healthy tooth after preparation and drilling. The anchoring element forms an armature or framework for reconstructed tooth material, or provides support for a U-shaped beam made of austenitic steel wire cloth. The U-shaped beam receives artificial teeth thereon to bridge an interdental space. The U-shaped beam is prevented from pivoting by vertically staggering the T-shaped elements.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an anchoring device for dental prosthesis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The development of dental prostheses has focused on both longevity ofoperation of the prostehtic device as well as effectively anchoring theprosthetic device while causing the least possible harm to existinghealthy teeth. Various unsuccessful attempts have been made to fulfillthese requirements. In fact, the previously used prosthetics are eithertoo flimsy or too sturdy for proper application, and may be difficult oreven impossible to accurately adjust during usage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The anchoring device of the present invention remedies thesedisadvantages by requiring that only a small hole be drilled in healthyteeth for the anchoring elements. Moreover, the anchoring elementswithstand corrosion better, in addition to providing a larger fasteningsurface area than other prosthetics. This anchoring element can be usedas an armature or foundation for the rebuilding of damaged teeth. It canalso be used to anchor a beam across an interdental space to receiveartificial teeth to replace missing teeth.

Essentially, the anchoring device of the present invention is comprisedof a generally T-shaped anchoring element having a wide flattenedbracket or head, containing a hole in the bracket. The T-shapedanchoring element is also provided with a cylindrical leg having severalparallel axially concentric grooves.

The anchoring element is formed from a biosuitable metal having highstructural qualities, such as titanium. The anchoring element is alsosandblasted. The hole, grooves and sand-blasting of the anchoringelement are intended to increase its bonding efficiency, both byincreasing the bonding surface area and enhancing adhesion quality.

The anchoring device is further comprised of a beam formed by a U-shapedsection with close set edges. The U-shaped section is made of a cloth ormesh of austenitic steel wire, for example.

In order to rebuild a damaged tooth, one or more T-shaped anchoringelements may be implanted in the healthy tooth near the section where apiece is missing. These elements act as an armature or framework forcavity-filling resinous material. These anchoring elements also offer amaximal adhesion surface area for the replacement tooth.

In replacing missing teeth with artificial teeth, one of the foregoingT-shaped anchoring elements is fixed to each of the side faces of theteeth defining an interdental space, and a beam made of the U-shapedmetal cloth is adjusted for fit within the space. The U-shaped sectionis then jammed over the brackets of the T-shaped anchoring elements. Thebrackets are oriented with their major axes vertical, to this end. TheT-shaped anchoring elements are staggered with respect to the height ofthe teeth into which they are placed. This prevents the risk of theangular displacement of the T-shaped anchoring element.

A non-limiting example of an embodiment of the present invention isdescribed in the following detailed description in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational side view of a T-shaped anchoring element ofthe present invention, and end view of the T-shaped anchoring element;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of a metal cloth U-section which formsthe beam for carrying artificial teeth in an interdental space, and apartial side elevational view of the same;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of T-shaped anchoring elements of thepresent invention fixed in the healthy portion of a damaged tooth;

FIG. 4 shows the tooth of FIG. 3 when repaired;

FIG. 5 is a left side view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the combined T-shaped elements andU-shaped metal cloth on which artificial teeth will be placed in aninterdental space; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with artificial teeth in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As seen in FIG. 1, the T-shaped anchoring element of the presentinvention consists of a leg formed by a cylindrical stem 1 into whichseveral grooves 2 are machined. The grooves 2 are concentric with theaxis of the cylindrical stem 1. The cylindrical stem 1 has a generallyconstant radius, with a concial end 5. The T-shaped element furthercomprises a flattened bracket 3 which is pierced with a hole 4 in itscenter. The edges 6 of the bracket 3 are curved along the radius 7, asseen in the plan view of FIG. 1. A major axis for the bracket is definedbetween the edges 6.

A U-shaped beam 8, as seen in FIG. 2, is formed, for instance, from ametallic cloth or mesh section, such as austenitic steel wire. ThisU-shaped beam 8 is sized to engage and wrap around the flattened bracket3of the T-shaped anchoring element, as by jamming the beam thereon. Thisis done by applying a predetermined tightening stress on the U-shapedbeam 8.The length of the U-shaped beam 8 is adjusted according to thesize of the interdental space.

The rebuilding of a damaged tooth 9, as seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, isaccomplished, after conventional preparation of the tooth 9, by fixing aT-shaped anchoring element in the healthy part of the tooth 9. The tooth9is then rebuilt by filling the cavity with a molded resinous material10 according to known methods.

As seen in FIG. 6, in order to replace a missing tooth or missing teeth,the T-shaped anchoring element is fixed on the sides of healthy teeth12, 13 which form an interdental space. A vertical stagger (indicated at11) is created between the height of placement of the T-shaped anchoringelement in the teeth 12, 13 to prevent angular displacement, i.e.twisting.

The U-shaped beam 8 is then engaged astride the brackets 3 of each ofthe T-shaped anchoring elements after having been adjusted to the lengthof the interdental space. The anchoring elements are positioned with themajor axis of the brackets extending generally parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the adjacent teeth, i.e. the flattened sides extendup and down. The entire assembly is then coated with a compound materialand then polymerized. In this way, an armature assembly for support ofartificial teeth is created. Afterwards, the new teeth 14, 15 are moldedin place on the armature assembly, buffed and polymerized for use.

It should be noted that the T-shaped anchoring element of the presentinvention is applicable to all forms of dental prosthetic operations. Itis intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrativerather than limiting and that it be understood that it is the followingclaims, including all equivalents, which are intended to define thescope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An anchoring device for a dental prosthesiscomprising:a pair of anchoring elements, each of said anchoring elementshaving a cylindrical stem with a conical end and containing a pluralityof parallel circular grooves, and a bracket formed as a head to saidstem having a wide flat surface on opposite sides thereof through whicha centrally located hole is formed, each of said stems configured forfixation in the side of a respective tooth of a pair of teeth definingan interdental space, such that each said bracket extends within theinterdental space; and a U-shaped mesh, said mesh configured forplacement over said brackets in a close fit with said brackets, saidU-shaped mesh being permanently fixed in place on said brackets andbeing adapted to receive and form the sole support for prosthetic teeththereafter fixed thereon to bridge the interdental space.
 2. Ananchoring device for a dental prosthesis comprising:a pair of anchoringelements, each of said anchoring elements having a cylindrical stem witha conical end and containing a plurality of parallel circular grooves,and a bracket formed as a head to said stem having a wide flat surfaceon opposite sides thereof through which a centrally located hole isformed, the flat surfaces of said bracket extending generally parallelto a plane defined by a tooth's longitudinal axis, each of said stemsconfigured for fixation in the side of a respective tooth of a pair ofteeth defining an interdental space, such that each said bracket isemplaced within the interdental space; and a U-shaped mesh, said meshconfigured for placement over said brackets in a close fit with saidbrackets, said U-shaped mesh being adapted to receive prosthetic teeththereon to bridge the interdental space, said anchoring elements beingpositioned with the brackets located at different vertical heights abovethe base of said interdental space thereby forming a stagger, saidstagger created for the prevention of angular displacement of said mesh.3. The anchoring device of claim 2, wherein said mesh is an austeniticsteel wire mesh.